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Crisis level for drought already in place in areas of south of France
Restrictions already place limits on filling pools and cleaning cars
Multiple communes in the south of France are seeing drought warnings rise, after water levels have not replenished over the winter period.
In the Hérault department, 12 new communes have been placed on the highest ‘crisis’ alert, with all but the most essential water use being banned.
Despite plenty of rainfall in the north and centre of France, some parts of the south are still facing water shortages as below average levels of rain have fallen, in some places for more than a year.
For example, in the Hérault department, water levels have remained low since last autumn, and there has been a lack of winter rain to replenish them.
The info-sécheresse website states that water levels in much of the department are already at ‘very low’ levels – the worst possible – even before the typically dry summer period.
Recent storms in the department – that killed an 80-year old driver – have partially replenished levels, but came too late, and without enough water, to make a lasting impact.
Read more: Storm death toll rises in France as hunters find body of man in south
Some communes in the Pyrénées-Orientales department have completely run out of water from groundwater reservoirs already this year.
Read more: Several villages in south of France without tap water due to drought
Ban on watering plants, filling pools
In communes such as Thézan-les-Béziers, restrictions are already at their most severe, and include a ban on watering plants during the day.
Temporary measures by residents – including installing rainwater collectors to water gardens – help partially alleviate the issue.
Read more: What are the rules for collecting and using rainwater in France
The commune installed a dam to help collect some water, but the solution “will not help in the summer,” said mayor Alain Duro to BFMTV.
This is why restrictions are already in place, to help try and conserve the dwindling resources for as long as possible.
As France enters into the warmer period, more and more communes, especially in the south, will see drought restrictions in place.
These follow a set of general rules, but can vary according to each commune (as opposed to department).
The government has a tool called ‘VigiEau’ which allows you to check the restrictions in your commune by typing in your address.
Read more: What is France's 'drought' website VigiEau?
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